The rad things you can make with Lego blocks

"The Lego Movie" is now in theaters, and for a movie about plastic blocks it's pretty darn good. Don't have the budget to bankroll an animated Hollywood blockbuster? Here's some cool things you still can make with enough time and Legos.

By John Boyd

on February 7, 2014 12:40 PM

Photo: Ricksteves.com

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'The Lego Movie'

The rad things you can make with Lego blocks

Our reviewer says "The Lego Movie" is " ... a wonderful surprise, cleverly written and executed brick by brick with a
visual panache. Filled with humor and action, the Warner Bros. movie
pulls off an emotional finish that rivals some of Pixar's best work." (5 Stars) less

The rad things you can make with Lego blocks

Our reviewer says "The Lego Movie" is " ... a wonderful surprise, cleverly written and executed brick by brick with a visual panache. Filled with humor and action, ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of Warner Bros. Picture, HOEP

The rad things you can make with Lego blocks Our reviewer says... Photo-5828164.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Mount Rushmore

A visit to Denmark's Legoland, the mothership of all things Lego, is a hit with kids. (photo: Rick Steves)

A visit to Denmark's Legoland, the mothership of all things Lego, is a hit with kids. (photo: Rick Steves)

Photo: Ricksteves.com

A visit to Denmark's Legoland, the mothership of all things... Photo-5677940.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Epic Artwork

Pieces from Nathan Sawaya's "The Art of the Brick," which features sculptures and artwork made of LEGOs. It's on view in New York City.

Pieces from Nathan Sawaya's "The Art of the Brick," which features sculptures and artwork made of LEGOs. It's on view in New York City.

Pieces from Nathan Sawaya's "The Art of the Brick,"... Photo-5423644.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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An entire city

The LEGO model main street is on display during A Billion Bricks: LEGO T-Rex, Turtles & Trains exhibit at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013. This is the fifth season of the exhibit at the center. This year's exhibit is on display until March 2. less

The LEGO model main street is on display during A Billion Bricks: LEGO T-Rex, Turtles & Trains exhibit at the Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013. This is the fifth ... more

Photo: Jason Rearick

The LEGO model main street is on display during A Billion Bricks:... Photo-5655332.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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This yellow man who really shouldn't have kept picking at that

Nathan Sawaya's Yellow Lego block sculpture at "The Art of the Brick" exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York, June 10, 2013. Sawaya's sculptures made of basic Lego blocks mimic the world and other artists' view of it. (Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times) less

Nathan Sawaya's Yellow Lego block sculpture at "The Art of the Brick" exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York, June 10, 2013. Sawaya's sculptures made of basic Lego blocks mimic the world and other ... more

Julian Hoyle, 7, makes a snow angle while playing in the creative free play area during the Lego KidsFest national tour at Reliant Park on Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Houston. The three day event had three acres of hands-on educational fun for all ages including life-sized models made entirely from Lego bricks, construction zones for creative free build, and game arenas less

Julian Hoyle, 7, makes a snow angle while playing in the creative free play area during the Lego KidsFest national tour at Reliant Park on Sunday, May 19, 2013, in Houston. The three day event had three acres ... more

Photo: J. Patric Schneider, For The Chronicle

Julian Hoyle, 7, makes a snow angle while playing in the creative... Photo-4651536.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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An F-1 Car

Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa of Brazil (left) and Fernando Alonso of Spain (right) sit on a life-size Ferrari Formula One car built by Lego, in Melbourne on March 14, 2013, ahead of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix on March 17. less

Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa of Brazil (left) and Fernando Alonso of Spain (right) sit on a life-size Ferrari Formula One car built by Lego, in Melbourne on March 14, 2013, ahead of the Formula One Australian ... more

Nathan Sawaya's Swimmer Lego block sculpture at "The Art of the Brick" exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York, June 10, 2013. Sawaya's sculptures made of basic Lego blocks mimic the world and other artists' view of it. less

Nathan Sawaya's Swimmer Lego block sculpture at "The Art of the Brick" exhibition at Discovery Times Square in New York, June 10, 2013. Sawaya's sculptures made of basic Lego blocks mimic the world and other ... more

The Lego store at Rockefeller Center is ready for the holidays. Photo-5449676.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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An old school phone

Photo-5363811.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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This handsome devil

Toy Story 3 character Woody made of Lego building blocks is displayed during the International Tokyo Toy Show 2010 at Tokyo Big Sight on July 15, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The toy fair, which will be held until July 18, attracts traders and visitors by introducing the latest products presented by various toymakers from Japan and abroad. less

Toy Story 3 character Woody made of Lego building blocks is displayed during the International Tokyo Toy Show 2010 at Tokyo Big Sight on July 15, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. The toy fair, which will be held until ... more

Photo: Kiyoshi Ota, Getty Images

Toy Story 3 character Woody made of Lego building blocks is... Photo-4679792.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A tiger

Striped dianella echoes the stripes in the Malayan tiger made of Legos bricks.

Striped dianella echoes the stripes in the Malayan tiger made of Legos bricks.

LEGO flamingos are seen in the new Animals Assembled exhibit during a preview at the Houston Zoo Friday, May 24, 2013, in Houston. More than two dozen LEGO brick animal sculptures, representing 10 species including flamingos, a tiger, zebra and fish are on display opening May 25 through Labor Day. less

LEGO flamingos are seen in the new Animals Assembled exhibit during a preview at the Houston Zoo Friday, May 24, 2013, in Houston. More than two dozen LEGO brick animal sculptures, representing 10 species ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

LEGO flamingos are seen in the new Animals Assembled exhibit during... Photo-4683155.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A giraffe

A LEGO giraffe is seen in the new Animals Assembled exhibit during a preview at the Houston Zoo Friday, May 24, 2013, in Houston. More than two dozen LEGO brick animal sculptures, representing 10 species including flamingos, a tiger, zebra and fish are on display opening May 25 through Labor Day. less

A LEGO giraffe is seen in the new Animals Assembled exhibit during a preview at the Houston Zoo Friday, May 24, 2013, in Houston. More than two dozen LEGO brick animal sculptures, representing 10 species ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle

A LEGO giraffe is seen in the new Animals Assembled exhibit during... Photo-4683160.79394 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Really any animal you want ...

In the "Animals Assembled" exhibit, ligularia is planted by tiny Lego Kihansi spray toads of Tanzania, which are "enlarged" beneath a Lego magnifying glass.

In the "Animals Assembled" exhibit, ligularia is planted by tiny Lego Kihansi spray toads of Tanzania, which are "enlarged" beneath a Lego magnifying glass.

A 20-foot T-Rex dinosaur skeleton, a Nathan Sawaya sculpture, is displayed in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the exhibition features over 100 works of art created from millions of the toy bricks. less

A 20-foot T-Rex dinosaur skeleton, a Nathan Sawaya sculpture, is displayed in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with ... more

Nathan Sawaya sculptures are displayed in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the exhibition features over 100 works of art created from millions of the toy bricks. less

Nathan Sawaya sculptures are displayed in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the exhibition ... more

"Skulls," Nathan Sawaya sculptures, are displayed in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the exhibition features over 100 works of art created from millions of the toy bricks. less

"Skulls," Nathan Sawaya sculptures, are displayed in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the ... more

"David," (R) a Nathan Sawaya sculpture, is displayed with others in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the exhibition features over 100 works of art created from millions of the toy bricks. Many pieces mimic famous works of art. less

"David," (R) a Nathan Sawaya sculpture, is displayed with others in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy ... more

"Facemask," a Nathan Sawaya sculpture, is displayed with others in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy bricks and the exhibition features over 100 works of art created from millions of the toy bricks. less

"Facemask," a Nathan Sawaya sculpture, is displayed with others in the 'Art of the Brick' show at Discovery Times Square on June 18, 2013 in New York City. Sawaya created the pieces entirely with LEGO toy ... more